The Healing Power of Silence

In various easter traditions, (inner) stillness, being still and silence are regarded as one of the central keys for serenity, well-being, contemplation, meditation and communion with all that is.

Our everyday world is characterized by hastiness, encounters, conversations and constant background noise. We continuously absorb impressions from our surroundings through our senses. The digital age of laptops, smartphones and I-pads increases this sensory overload and distraction tendency immensely. This fact often leads to a simple equation: as on the outside so on the inside. Do you succeed in finding peace and allowing “real” silence?

I really encountered the healing power of silence for the first time in 2009. An initiation with a lasting effect. Due to another difficult life situation at that time, I spontaneously registered for a guided silence seminar. Five days of fasting, silence, meditation, yoga, walks in the woods and clear rules (absolute ban on telephone, reading and smoking). During the three hours a day, during which there was no official program, we were allowed to write, draw and contemplate. The day started at 5.30 a.m. with a slow walking meditation and ended at 8 p.m. with a sitting meditation. In the evening of the first day I wanted to escape. It was easy for me to remain silent. It was an incredible challenge to face the “noise and chaos” in my mind.

The following days changed everything; I literally fell deeper and deeper into the silence. The inner dialogues became slower, more focused and had the quality of insights “from the depth of my being”. I felt a more authentic approach to my emotional roller coaster without being overwhelmed by it. My sensory perception changed during the walks; the smallest details reached my eyes and ears. Nature seemed more alive and had a completely different sound. I also felt an unknown (physical) serenity, calmness and bubbling joy. When we “broke” the silence on the last day, I felt a real resistance to return to the outside. The noises at the station later overwhelmed me helplessly. The world seemed unpleasantly loud to me for days.

After this first formative experience with the power of silence, I hardly had the desire for background music at home. My TV consumption became less and less and has been at “zero” for years. My need for quiet moments of contemplation and “being with me alone” in everyday life had changed forever.

In the past years I have encountered the healing power of silence and meditation again and again in other self-awareness retreats and trainings. To integrate a daily, silent meditation practice into my everyday life required a lot of discipline and perseverance in the beginning (and sometimes still does!). In the last few years, this hour of “introspection” has become one of the most valuable resources to stay in touch with myself and to maintain my inner balance and well-being.

Silence appears harmless and nourishing. We all know (short) moments of silence and being still; e.g. in the evening before falling asleep, during a night’s rest or going for a walk in nature. In moments in which we concentrate completely on something, contemplate or find ourselves in a pleasant state of (physical) relaxation. We and our “system” need this dimension of silence in order to regenerate ourselves in everyday life.

Silence can make us anxious and uncomfortable at the same time. If we decide to allow “real” silence, we first encounter one person: ourselves; this can be a challenge. If we nevertheless allow ourselves longer moments of silence and being still in an environment that nourishes, favours and makes the inner silence accessible, we experience a new dimension. The true essence of this stillness is revealed to us when we hear it.

The Indian mystic Osho says:

In fact, dialogue is only possible in silence. Words say little and obstruct more. Deep down everything is connected. At this level of connectedness, feelings are transmitted in silence. Words are a very poor substitute for silent expression. The truth just cannot be said in words. It can only be expressed through the silent inner voice.

Anyone who has met this inner voice will remember it forever.

I can only encourage you to invite the power of silence into your daily life.